year, and Abel considered he was set fair to achieve his profit forecast of over twenty - five thousand dollars for 1929, and kept Davis Leroy in constant touch with the way things were turning out. But when the crash came in October the hotel was half empty. Abel placed a call through to Davis Leroy on Black Tuesday. The Texan sounded depressed and preoccupied and would not be drawn into making decisions about the laying off of hotel staff which Abel now considered urgent. '
'Stick with it, Abel,' he said. 'I'll come up next week and we'll sort it out together then - or we'll try to.'
Abel did not like the ring of the last phrase. 'Whaes the problem, Davis? Is it anything I can help with?'
'Not for the time being!
Abel remained puzzled. 'Why don't you just give me the authority to get on with it, and I can brief you when you come tip next week?'
'It's not quite as easy as that, Abel. I didn't want to discuss my problems over the phone, but the bank is giving me a little trouble over my losses in the stock market, and they are threatening to make me sell the hotels if I can't raise enough money to cover my debts.'
Abel went cold.
'Nothing for you to worry about, my boy,' continued Davis, sounding unconvincing. 'I will fill you in on all the details when I come up to Chicago next week. I am sure I can fix up something by then.'
Abel heard the phone click and could feel his whole body sweating. His first reaction was to wonder how he could assist Davis. He put a call through to Curtis Fenton and prised out of him the name of the banker who controlled the Richmond Group, feeling that if he could see him it might make things easier for his friend.
Abel called Davis several times during the next few days to tell him that things were going from bad to worse and that decisions must be made, but he sounded more and more preoccupied and was still unwilling to make any decision. When matters started getting out of control, Abel made a decision. He asked his secretary to get the banker who controlled the Richmond Group on die phone.
'Who are you calling, Mr. Rosnovski?' asked a primsounding lady.
Abet looked down at the name on the piece of paper in front of him and said it firmly.
'I'll put you through.'
'Good morning,' said an authoritative voice. 'May I help youT 'I hope so. My name is Abel Rosnovski,' began Abel nervously. 'I am the manager of the Richmond Chicago and wanted to make an appointment to see you and discuss the future of the Richmond Group!
'I have no authority to deal with anyone except Mr. Davis Leroy,'said the clipped accent.
'But I own twenty - five per cent of the Richmond Group,' said Abel.
Chapter 17
'nen no doubt someone will explain to you that until you own fifty - one per cent you are in no position to deal with the bank unles you have the authority of Mr. Davis Leroy.'
'But he's a close personal friend. . .'
'I don't doubt that, Mr. Rosnovski.'
I... and I'm trying to help.'
'Has Mr. Leroy given you the authority to represent him?'
'No, but.. .'
'Then I am sorry. It would be most unprofessional of me to continue this conversation.'
'You couldn't be less helpful, could you?' asked Abel, immediately regretting his words.
'That is no doubt how you see it, Mr. Rosnovski. Good day, sir.'
Oh, to hell with you, thought Abel, slanuning down the phone, even more worried about what he could do next to help Davis. He didn't have long to find out.
The next evening Abel spotted Melanie in the restaurant, not displaying her usual well - groomed confidence but looking tired and anxious, and he nearly asked her if everything was all right. He decided against approaching her and, as he left the dining room to go to his office, he found Davis Leroy standing alone in the front hall. He had on the checked jac - ket that he was wearing the first day he had approached Abel at the Plaza.
'Is Melanie in the dining room?'
"Yes,' said Abel. 'I didn't know you were coming into town today, Davis.
I'll get the Presidential Suite ready for you immediately!
'Only for one night, Abel, and I'd like to see you in private later!
'Certainly.'
Abel didn't like the sound of 'in private'. Had Melanie been complaining to her - father; was that why he had